Numismatic

Roman Empire Double Denarius Claudius II (268-270 AD) Ch VF NGC

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During a period of intense upheaval known as the Crisis of the Third Century, Emperor Claudius II ruled the Roman Empire from 268 to 270 AD. This ancient Double Denarius, also referred to as an antoninianus, was struck at the Rome mint during his brief but highly impactful reign. Despite the challenges of the era, Claudius II managed to restore vital military prestige to the empire, most notably securing a monumental victory at the Battle of Naissus in 269 AD which earned him the lasting title of Gothicus. This specific coin has been certified as Choice Very Fine, and still retains traces of its original silvering, a surface treatment used during this era of debased currency. The front of the coin features a right-facing portrait of the emperor, showing him draped, armored, and wearing a radiate crown. On the reverse, viewers will typically find a depiction of a Roman deity or a symbolic figure, an artistic choice intended to celebrate the stability and military triumphs of the Roman state under his leadership.